Balfron writer Henke overturns party ban

Courts have overturned a 100 year ban imposed by UKIP on their former Scottish chairman

Back in fold Paul Henke's party ban has been overturned (Photo: Stirling Observer)

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A Balfron author has been reinstated as a UKIP member after a judge overturned a 100-year membership ban on him.

Paul Henke, the Eurosceptic party’s former Scottish chairman, was delighted with the news that came after he took the party to court over their actions last month.

The century-long suspension was imposed after Mr Henke and several other UKIP members signed a letter protesting about the appointment of David Coburn as the party’s Scottish candidate in the up-and-coming European elections.

The letter accused Mr Coburn of making false statements and when it was picked up by a national Sunday newspaper Mr Henke told them: “I expect the complaint to be investigated properly. I believe UKIP to be an up-front party run by honourable people. We should have honourable people as candidates.”

It was after this that the ban was issued against him, purportedly on grounds of bringing the party into disrepute and of trying to sabotage UKIP’s Scottish election campaign.

However, the Central London County Court ordered the ban to be lifted at the end of last month as Her Honour Judge Taylor said the ban amounted to an expulsion of Mr Henke - something that was beyond the party chairman’s powers to do.

A letter from UKIP’s lawyer to Mr Henke following the judgement acknowledged that “the decision by the chairman to invoke his urgent powers was null and void for want of procedure.”

The letter also told Mr Henke: “You remain a member in good standing within the party without a stain on your character and…no note of any adverse decision should be recorded against your party membership.”

Judge Taylor ordered UKIP to pay most of Mr Henke’s costs, with total costs of the case to the party suggested as being around £30,000.

Mr Henke said: “I am pleased that the party has come to its senses. This has been a worrying few weeks for my wife Dorothy and me. But now we are in the clear.

“The court made a particular point of saying that I had acted very reasonably throughout this affair.”

And he added: “Banning me for 100 years was plainly disproportionate, particularly as the statement I had made when approached by a reporter from the newspaper had been mild and polite.”

The judge refused UKIP permission to appeal either her decision or the award of costs in favour of Mr Henke.

A damages claim by Mr Henke, amounting to £4000, has yet to be heard by the court.

Lord Monckton, the former leader of UKIP Scotland, said: “The court has restored Paul’s membership and reputation. He is very popular in Scotland, and his many friends and colleagues in UKIP Scotland are delighted. We have had support and even contributions to our heavy costs from UKIP members all over Britain.”

A former bomb and mine disposal expert Paul Henke is the author of several thrillers and the Tears saga.